Ballon d'Or 2026: Adil Rami sparks controversy in Spain

The former France international sparks controversy

Ballon d'Or Today at 13:10

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Ballon d'Or 2026: Adil Rami sparks controversy in Spain

In recent hours, Adil Rami has found himself at the centre of a heated controversy on social media.

The former France defender took aim at Alexia Putellas after her speech at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony. The Spanish player claimed the honour for the third time in her career. She had spoken at length to thank her former teammates at FC Barcelona, her family and those close to her.

The speech was evidently too long for the 2018 World Cup winner, who did not mince his words on Twitch. “Alexia Putellas started talking, it was funny, but man, lower the microphone, just lower that damn microphone. Alexia Putellas, why? Fuck, if you want to talk, no problem, you go home, set up a setup like ours and you have the microphone all to yourself,” he said.

Heureusement que Adil Rami est là pour nous rappeler qu’en 2026, même trois Ballons d’Or ne donnent pas le droit à une femme de parler 7 MINUTES. Une place dans l’histoire du football, un troisième sacre… mais depuis 48 heures, certains n’ont qu’une obsession : chronométrer le temps de parole d’Alexia Putellas. Mais voir un ancien international français, aujourd’hui consultant « reconnu », rejoindre cette meute et alimenter ce discours sexiste auprès d’une immense communauté, c’est consternant. Discours d’Harry Kane : 9 min 35 s. Discours d’Alexia Putellas : 6 min 51 s. Moins de sept minutes de reconnaissance pour le football féminin, sur l’une des plus grandes scènes du football mondial. Près de trois minutes de moins que Kane. Et c’est encore trop ? Le football féminin avance. Les mentalités, beaucoup moins.
— Première Ligue Reporter (@clem_reporter) October 28, 2026

Adil Rami sparks outrage in Spain

Adil Rami's comments quickly sparked a wave of outrage. Several internet users accused the Frenchman of misogyny.

The criticism intensified when some pointed out that the speech by Harry Kane, who was crowned the men's Ballon d’Or winner, had lasted three minutes longer than Putellas' without prompting a similar comment from Rami. These personal and sporting remarks made the criticism of Adil Rami all the more controversial.

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Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.